Administrative Supplement for ASIC design project

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SUMMARY Under an active Phase II proposal, Neural Dynamics Technologies Inc. will develop customizable, high-density probes with integrated closed-loop capabilities that can be chronically implanted for use in animals that are either head-fixed or able to move around freely. The first aim of our Phase II proposal is to integrate light delivery and electrical stimulation capabilities onto our probes to enable closed-loop experimentation. The locations for light delivery and electrical stimulation will be customizable so that customers can specify their desired location. The second aim will be to develop a packaging approach that involves building an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and associated hardware that can control all integrated functionalities. This ASIC will be developed in partnership with a dedicated integrated circuit design firm and semiconductor foundry. The combined packaged device will be small enough to enable chronic experiments in either head-fixed or freely moving animals. In this administrative supplement we are requesting additional budget to cover the cost of creating this ASIC. In partnership with a carefully chosen and US based ASIC design firm, NDT will design innovative closed-loop interfaces that will enable causal studies addressing the functional role of different brain regions and neuron types in the brains of both head-fixed and freely moving animals. These types of closed-loop devices may be further evolved into neural implants to treat neurological diseases such as refractory epilepsy, Parkinson’s and other tremor disorders.